Female IDPs sexually harassed, molested – Group

A socio-cultural organisation, the Plateau Youth G-17 Peace and Progress Forum, has alleged that women in the Internally Displaced Persons’ camps face molestation and sexual harassment before they can access daily meals for their children.

This allegation came about five months after the death of over 200 persons during an attack on some communities in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The organisation called on the Federal Government to urgency fulfill its promises to the people.

The Convener of PY G-17 PPF and the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Jos East/Jos South Federal Constituency in the 2019 elections, Dachung Bagos, spoke at a press briefing on Friday.

He said, “It is on record that Plateau State has well over 20,000 people, mostly children and women, in the IDP camps across the state. The living conditions of the IDPs are horrible and continue to deteriorate by the day due to negligence and disregard by the government.

“Reliable information has it that women are being molested and sexually harassed in the camp before they can access daily meals for their children. Most of the children are now out of school with little or no hope of any form of education.

“Rural agriculture has been severely disrupted as farmlands are being destroyed and harvest is low within the axis because many can no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked or killed by herdsmen. These citizens have lost everything and now live on handouts in IDP camps.

“Both the federal and Plateau state governments should be held accountable and should be reminded of their pledge and promises towards assisting these IDPs by rehabilitating, reintegrating and relocating them back to their ancestral homes before the end of 2018.” Punch